As it turned out, the only running play Lee Suggs ran for the Jets was a reverse back to Cleveland.

Suggs, the running back the Jets acquired Monday from the Browns in a swap for cornerback Derrick Strait, failed the required physical the Jets put him through yesterday morning, thus voiding the deal.

Only the Jets can create some buzz with an acquisition that goes bust before the player they acquired has a chance to try on one of their uniforms.

According to an NFL source familiar with the proceedings, the Jets failed Suggs because of a knee injury he sustained in college.

Yet Suggs, who’s been very injury-prone in his three-year NFL career – missing 23 of 48 games – has not missed a game because of a knee problem.

The source said the real reason the Jets sent Suggs back to Cleveland was because they got cold feet at the last moment about Suggs and think they can land a better back via another trade.

A second league source said the Jets are targeting Falcons back T.J.

Duckett, who might be available because Warrick Dunn starts and the Falcons are high on Mississippi State rookie Jervious Norwood.

All Eric Mangini would say is, “Derrick is coming back here and Lee is returning to the Browns.

We have a process in place medically and for every player we bring in, it’s pretty standard operating procedure.

“We have a whole series of tests we do. [Suggs] didn’t pass those tests. It’s the same [tests] we give to our draft picks and free agents.

Each team has criteria they set up.” Meanwhile, the Browns sent out a statement disputing the Jets’ findings. It read:

“This spring Lee Suggs has participated in every minicamp practice and all of our OTAs. He has also participated in every practice during training camp and played in our first preseason game. Medical opinions can vary from team to team, and obviously this is one team’s opinion.” Given Suggs’ injury history, his failing of the physical is not a shock. He carried the ball only eight times in eight games last season while being hampered by ankle and thumb injuries.

In 2004, he hurt his neck in preseason.

In 2003, he missed time with a shoulder injury.

Mangini, when asked if the attempted acquisition of Suggs was an indication that the team is not counting on Curtis Martin being ready for the Sept. 10 season opener, said, “We thought it was an opportunity to improve the competition at the running back position.” What now at running back for the Jets?

Mangini was predictably vague when asked if another move will be made, saying, “It’s fair to assume there could be a lot of moves. The moves will be predicated on opportunities and if the moves can improve the team.” It certainly appears rather obvious that Martin is not being counted on to be ready on Sept. 10 and the brass is obviously not comfortable with the trio of Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Leon Washington.

They both insisted they’re not put off by the Jets’ pursuit of another back.

“I didn’t see him out here; what happened?” Blaylock asked after practice. “It’s business.

I don’t take any of that stuff personal.” Added Houston: “That’s something I can’t control. They have me here now.” Asked if he spoke to Suggs after he failed the physical in the morning, Mangini said, “I did talk to Lee, yes. My conversation wasn’t extensive.

“Lee has done a good job in Cleveland,” Mangini said. “He’s a good person. That’s part of the reason we pursued him. The opportunity was good for both players [Suggs and Strait] and both teams.” Now, of course, it’s an opportunity lost.

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ANYBODY OUT THERE? (s, lcf)

Now that Lee Suggs is back in Cleveland, the Jets may end up with one of these two veterans as running back insurance: